September 2016


Application Final Action Dates For Employment-Based Preference Cases

Employ- ment based All Charge- ability Areas Except Those Listed China: mainland born El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras India Mexico Philippines
1st Current January 1st 2010 Current January 1st 2010 Current Current
2nd February 1st 2014 January 1st 2010 February 1st 2014 February 22nd 2005 February 1st 2014 February 1st 2014
3rd May 1st 2016 January 1st 2010 May 1st 2016 February 15th 2005 May 1st 2016 July 1st 2010
Other Workers May 1st 2016 January 1st 2004 May 1st 2016 February 15th 2005 May 1st 2016 July 1st 2010
4th Current Current January 1st 2010 January 1st 2010 January 1st 2010 Current
Certain Religious Workers Current Current January 1st 2010 January 1st 2010 January 1st 2010 Current
5th Non-Regional Center (C5 and T5) Current February 15th 2014 Current Current Current Current
5th Regional Center (I5 and R5) Current February 15th 2014 Current Current Current Current

Dates For Filing Of Employment-Based Visa Applications

Employment- based All Charge-ability Areas Except Those Listed China: mainland born India Mexico Philippines
1st Current Current Current Current Current
2nd Current June 1st 2013 July 1st 2009 Current Current
3rd Current May 1st 2015 July 1st 2005 Current January 1st 2013
Other Workers Current August 1st 2009 July 1st 2005 Current January 1st 2013
4th Current Current Current Current Current
Certain Religious Workers Current Current Current Current Current
5th Non-Regional Center (C5 and T5) Current May 1st 2015 Current Current Current
5th Regional Center (I5 and R5) Current May 1st 2015 Current Current Current

First: Priority Workers: 28.6% of the worldwide employment-based preference level, plus any numbers not required for fourth and fifth preferences.

Second: Members of the Professions Holding Advanced Degrees or Persons of Exceptional Ability: 28.6% of the worldwide employment-based preference level, plus any numbers not required by first preference.

Third: Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Other Workers: 28.6% of the worldwide level, plus any numbers not required by first and second preferences, not more than 10,000 of which to "*Other Workers".

Fourth: Certain Special Immigrants: 7.1% of the worldwide level.

Fifth: Employment Creation: 7.1% of the worldwide level, not less than 3,000 of which reserved for investors in a targeted rural or high-unemployment area, and 3,000 set aside for investors in regional centers by Sec. 610 of Pub. L. 102-395.

Application Final Action Dates For Family-sponsored Preference Cases

Family- Sponsored All Charge-ability Areas Except Those Listed China: mainland born India Mexico Philippines
F1 September 15th 2009 September 15th 2009 September 15th 2009 March 22nd 1995 July 1st 2005
F2A November 15th 2014 November 15th 2014 November 15th 2014 September 1st 2014 November 15th 2014
F2B February 1st 2010 February 1st 2010 February 1st 2010 September 15th 1995 December 1st 2005
F3 December 1st 2004 December 1st 2004 December 1st 2004 November 15th 1994 June 15th 1994
F4 October 8th 2003 January 1st 2003 January 1st 2001 April 22nd 1997 March 1st 1993

Dates For Filing Family-sponsored Visa Applications

Family- Sponsored All Charge-ability Areas Except Those Listed China: mainland born India Mexico Philippines
F1 January 1st 2010 January 1st 2010 January 1st 2010 April 1st 1995 December 22nd 2005
F2A November 22nd 2015 November 22nd 2015 November 22nd 2015 November 22nd 2015 November 22nd 2015
F2B February 8th 2011 February 8th 2011 February 8th 2011 May 22nd 1996 February 1st 2006
F3 August 22nd 2005 August 22nd 2005 August 22nd 2005 May 1st 1995 August 1st 1995
F4 June 15th 2004 June 15th 2004 May 1st 2004 June 1st 1998 July 15th 1993

First: (F1) Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens

Second: Spouses and Children, and Unmarried Sons and Daughters of Permanent Residents

A. (F2A) Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents

B. (F2B) Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years of age or older) of Permanent Residents

Third: (F3) Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens

Fourth: (F4) Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens